[Best of 2022] Smartphone Running Slower? Here Are 4 Helpful Tips
We're continuing an annual tradition of counting down our top 10 articles of the year. The following article was originally published in February and is #9 in our countdown. See #10 here.
Few tech challenges are more annoying than having a slow smartphone. After you've owned your phone for a while, chances are it will slow down like any other technology. How can you tell? You may notice that your texts aren't appearing as fast, it takes longer for your apps to open, or there's a delay when you key in information. Whether it happens suddenly or gradually over time, a slow smartphone can be detrimental to your workflow.
But don't panic, as there are a few simple fixes that can help speed up your smartphone without resorting to sending it in for a repair or replacement.
Here are four ways to speed up a slow smartphone:
Restart your smartphone
Sometimes, the simplest solution when you have a technology problem is to reboot. Using multiple apps on your smartphone that run in the background takes up Random Access Memory, or RAM, making your phone slower to respond. As available RAM gets used up, you may notice your smartphone lags or has issues with connecting to Wi-Fi, even if it's connected perfectly before. Restarting your smartphone may help you clear out its RAM, and that can increase its speed.
How to restart your smartphone depends on the type you have. iPhone users should press and hold the side and volume buttons simultaneously until the "slide to power off" message appears. Then, slide the power switch right as you press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
For Android owners, press and hold the power and volume buttons simultaneously and release them when you see the boot-up animation on the screen.
As a last resort, you can do a factory reset on your phone, but make sure you have your data and contacts fully backed up, so you don't lose anything.
Manage your smartphone apps
If an app on your Android or iPhone is freezing up or not functioning normally, it could mean your app is out-of-date. App updates provide bug fixes that can be directly related to the performance issue.
Next, check to see if how much storage your phone has available. Both Androids and iPhones can become problematic when less than 10% of your storage is available. Transferring large data hogs on your phone – like photos and videos – to the cloud or a computer is the fastest way to free up a lot of data. Another way to free up space on your phone is to remove unused apps. And if you are not going to use them again in the future, when you delete an app that also prompts you to delete additional data files associated with that app, go ahead and delete those too.
One myth that's important to dispel: Don't worry about having too many apps open in the background. Google and Apple both explain that open apps not in use shouldn't hamper your smartphone's performance. This is because these operating systems on a smartphone are designed differently than your computer's operating system. When an app on your phone is open and not displayed, they are in effect "frozen" and not taking up any RAM. In addition, you will do your battery life a favor by leaving them open because more energy is consumed when reopening an app fresh than opening one that's been in the background.
Clear your smartphone cache
Did you know your phone has a cache (pronounced "cash")? A cache is stored data that allows future requests for that data to be served faster. But over time, your cache can slow down your phone. This is especially true when you rely on your smartphone to browse the internet more than your computer. Your phone's web browser – Safari, Chrome, Opera – stores data from the websites and web pages you visit. This is done to make browsing on the web faster. However, having too much data stored in your web browser's cache can slow your smartphone's performance. Therefore, you should routinely clear your smartphone's cache to improve your browser's speed.
To clear the cache on your iPhone's default browser, go to your settings, then Safari, and click on Clear History and Website data. This will free up your smartphone's storage space while increasing your browser's speed. If you want to eliminate your collected website data from Safari, tap Advanced, then Website Data, and hit Remove all website data.
For Android users, go to Open Chrome (its default browser), tap the three vertically aligned dots icon, and then select History and Clear browsing data. Then select the time period of the data you want to clear and check the boxes you wish to remove, or leave them blank if you're going to keep: Cookies, Site Data, and Cached Files and Images.
Update your smartphone's operating system
Yes, your phone's operating system can also be slowing your phone down. Updating an operating system can take time, and you want to be sure you have everything backed up before you start. Fortunately, operating systems typically remain very similar in basic functionality to prior versions, which isn't always true with a computer. But by keeping your smartphone's operating system up to date, that new and improved software can make your apps – at least the ones that are still compatible – run better. A smartphone update of its operating system often improves its speed and, more importantly, its security.
If you notice your smartphone's software is outdated, it's better to update sooner than later, with one caveat: your phone still supports the newest version. If it does, and you don't have automatic updates turned on, make sure you plug in your smartphone. Now go to Settings, then General, and tap Software Update, then Download and Install, walk away until it updates, and you are all set. You can save time by turning on automatic updates. In the future, when your smartphone is charging, it will update between 2 AM to 5 AM, and that can be a real timesaver.
If you have issues with your smartphone or need help with any of these steps, you can always reach out to a Tech Helpline expert who is ready to help and only a click, call or chat away.
To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.
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Textiquette for Real Estate Agents 101
More and more reports are showing that Americans prefer text messages to phone calls. In fact, The Chicago Tribune reported Americans spend a reported 26 minutes a day texting, compared to six minutes on phone calls. With mobile devices, the lines between professional and personal worlds get a bit blurred. And as a real estate agent, you may be wondering how your texts should look, sound, and when to send them. In this post, we'll get down to the do's and don'ts of texting as a real estate professional.
The Do's and Don'ts of Texting for Real Estate Agents
1. Don't Get Sloppy
Just because you are sending a lead or client a text, instead of a formal email, does not mean all proper grammar and punctuation go out the window.
Pro Tip: If you are constantly fighting auto-correct in your text messages, turn it off from your phone's settings. You'll save yourself time and lessen mistakes if your spelling and grammar is already up to par.
2. Don't Text Late at Night
Just because people bring their smartphones with them everywhere does not mean they want to be contacted whenever. Leave conversations via phone calls and texting for normal business hours (unless, of course, the contact states otherwise).
3. Don't Use Weird Emojis
You don't need to use all 3000+ emojis just because you own a smartphone. Play it safe and use emojis that can be easily interpreted, such as a smiley face, thumbs up, or a house emoji. It can be difficult to read meaning through the internet, so play it safe.
4. Do Ask for Permission
Before you begin texting your contact, ask if they prefer text, phone calls or emails. They'll appreciate you asking, and you will benefit from communicating according to their preferences.
5. Do Keep It Short
Save lengthy messages for email. No one appreciates a long-winded text message related to business on their personal phone. It can be difficult to store that information for later and it involves stopping your day to read the message.
To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.
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Smartphone Safety: 8 Tips to Protect Your Personal Information
In today's age of technology, most business is now conducted through your mobile computer--your smartphone. This also means you are vulnerable to digital theft if you do not have the right precautions in place. Here are eight tips to make sure your personal and financial information is locked down:
The first thing you do when you get a new phone is set up your lock screen. This is not a step you want to bypass! This simple measure of security protects you from others who may have access to your phone.
Enable fingerprint or facial recognition – Almost all smartphones now have this new technology to ensure only you have access to your phone's data.
Update software – Old, outdated software is vulnerable to hackers and cyber scammers. New updates fix bugs and any potential security issues in prior versions.
Back up your information – There are several reasons to back up your phone: theft, viruses, or your phone is damaged. Having a back up means you still have access to valuable information, and it can be transferred to another phone.
Beware of public Wi-Fi – Most Wi-Fi hotspots are not encrypted. So anyone at the local coffee shop you are sharing Wi-Fi with can "eavesdrop" on the data you send and receive from your phone.
Bluetooth – Hackers use specialized software to detect nearby devices who use Bluetooth technology. They find out your trusted networks and replicate them to trick your device into connecting to take control of your device. This technique is used to steal data, bombard your phone with malware and spyware, and read your apps and text messages.
Do not share personal passwords and logins – This is just a best practice. Sharing passwords and logins can lead to your personal information getting into the wrong hands.
Enable personal safety features – Almost all smartphones have a setting where you can input your personal safety. iPhone has Emergency SOS Mode, Medical ID & Emergency Contacts, and be sure to turn on FindMyiPhone. Android users should enable their Emergency Sharing and Safety Check, Lockdown Mode, and make sure to activate Find My Device.
Users of SentriLock can also rely on safety features within the SentriKey Real Estate App. To access this feature, log in to your app and select My Settings, then select Agent Safety. When you open a lockbox, the Agent Safety feature will automatically notify your emergency contact when you do not or cannot confirm your safety. It will check in regularly to ensure you are safe on the job.
Safety starts with you, so make sure to practice smartphone security and enable safety features in your phone to make sure you are safe.
To view the original article, visit the SentriLock blog.
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7 Reasons Why Your Listing Presentation Should Be on Your Tablet
In this Agent Insights post, Bob Haywood, a real estate agent in Owasso, Oklahoma, offers agents advice about why your listing presentation should be on your tablet.
Here's Bob:
So you've got a listing presentation, right?
And whenever you're going to go on a listing appointment, you run your comparable sales numbers, put them into the presentation, print the pages out and then mount them in a nice presentation folder. And then off you go with hope in your heart that you'll be the chosen one at the end of day. And sometimes you are the chosen one. You beat the competition, get the listing and start the marketing of the property.
What if I told you there is a better way?
After doing all the prep work for several years in real estate and printing out all those expensive color pages, I finally got tired of spinning my wheels and had a huge light bulb moment.
What if I could use my iPad for my listing presentation?
Hmmmm.
So I did.
I spent several weeks building the slides in Keynote (Apple's version of PowerPoint). That meant pulling graphics and logos and images from online sources and putting them into the slides. That was the hardest part. Some of what I needed or wanted to use didn't exist, so I had to create it. But that turned out to be pretty easy because both PowerPoint and Keynote provide charts and graphs and other tools for those purposes.
When I was done, I ended up with a slick and easy-to-use listing presentation. So why should you take the plunge and put your listing presentation on your tablet?
Because there are several benefits of having a listing presentation on your tablet:
1. It is easily editable.
I can add information, logos and services or remove complete slides in a matter of minutes and be ready to go. And check this out—if I need to leave a slide or several slides out for whatever reason, I can just delete them for that specific listing presentation because they are always in the master presentation.
2. With only two quick edits, my listing presentation is ready for any potential seller.
I add the potential seller's name and address on the title slide, and then the market numbers on the expected list/sale price slide, and I'm good to go.
3. Printing.
Instead of printing off 30-40 full color pages for each listing, I now print my slides in a six-up format which means there are six slides per page. The entire presentation is printed on five pages quickly and easily. The only other pages I print are the tax record and the MLS CMA pages. I'd do that anyways with a full paper presentation.
4. My presentation impresses sellers every time.
They love that I have my iPad sitting there and that I can discuss the material on each slide without having to turn pages or read what is on the page. It just looks cool, works cool and makes me look like I'm an exceptional REALTOR® who knows what I'm doing because I do. I know the script for every page and can move easily in and out of the different slides as needed.
5. My presentation is better protected this way.
I cannot tell you how many times I've walked into a listing I secured (like at an open house) only to find the listing presentation from the competition lying on the kitchen counter. The information from my presentation is shown in slide format for reference rather than for my competition to see and read.
6. I am internet and MLS savvy.
I can not only run my presentation, but I can search for homes immediately as well because I have my tablet open and running. I can't tell you how many times I've been able to go right to the MLS and pull competitive listings or other information because I had my tablet open, running and ready. And there's no waiting for a laptop to wake up and take five minutes before I can use it.
7. I win listings.
Sure, I don't get every listing, but I get almost every listing because my listing presentation is so good and I know what I'm doing. Since I moved my listing presentation to my iPad, my success rate from listing appointments has gone through the roof.
There are other benefits, but that should be enough to get you to consider moving your listing presentation to your tablet. If you're intrigued by this, but technology scares you, let me encourage you to especially pull the trigger and dive in. And here's why: It will force you to learn and make you better at what you do.
To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.
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Texting: One of an Agent's Greatest Tools
It wasn't that long ago when most phone service providers enforced strict limits on text messages. Most users could send 500 or even just 100 a month. Now, such rules are unthinkable -- the average American sends and receives around 85 texts a day. With 96% of all U.S. adults owning a cell phone, virtually everyone sends and receives texts. What's more, the average text message is read within three minutes.
Those facts are of great interest to relationship-driven industries like real estate. Seventy-five percent of consumers surveyed say they are okay with receiving texts from brands. With its astonishing 90% open rate, texting shows signs of giving email a run for its money as the marketing technique with the lowest costs and highest campaign ROI.
If you're not using text marketing yet, it's not too late — but now's definitely the time to start!
The Benefits of Texting for Real Estate Professionals
Real estate is all about relationships. Once you incorporate it into your workflow, text marketing is a natural extension of that mindset. From leads to clients to former customers, all can benefit from and respond to texting.
Let's consider some of the top advantages:
1. Texting is Personal
The great majority of texts are legitimate, one-to-one communications from the people your leads genuinely want to hear from. When contacts opt in, they invite you into a much more casual and personal space than their email box. You, in turn, can speak to them with clarity and authenticity, making a real connection.
2. Texting is Responsive
Real estate pros have long understood the faster you can respond to a lead's first attempt to reach out, the more likely you are to get an appointment scheduled. Texting allows you to answer others even faster than a phone call. Plus, you can do it without completely interrupting the flow of your busy workday.
3. Texting is Universal
Consider the stats above — 96% of American adults have a cell phone. They don't need the latest fancy Apple smartphone to send and receive texts. Even the simplest phones with the most budget-friendly plans can generally receive unlimited texts. You never have to make any assumptions about your contact's technology.
4. Texting Uses Automation Effectively
Some marketing techniques, like email, are a natural fit for automation. Others, like a phone call, had better be done manually. Text messaging falls somewhere between the extremes. While a personal text is often the best bet, you can automate certain "event-based" texts, and they will still feel perfectly natural.
Text Message Marketing: From Beginner to Advanced
If you use texts in your day-to-day life, you have skills that will serve you well in text marketing.
For example:
It is okay to use contractions, emojis, and even let a typo slip through if it fits your personal style
Don't bombard your contacts with a lot of text messages without letting them get in a response
Avoid texts late at night or before morning coffee unless it's an emergency for a current client
Don't forget to check your own texts a few times a day — they are now part of your work life
The key to text messaging is context. If you send messages only when it makes sense, you'll avoid having contacts opt out. Texting is a two-way street: your goal is to combine great timing with interesting content that will get recipients to respond more often. To do that, you need to know your clients well.
Let's look at ideas for taking texting to the next level:
Automate Your Initial Opt-In TextsTo stay on the right side of the law, it's crucial to ensure contacts affirmatively opt in for ongoing texts. You can automate this process using CRM data, ensuring that open house attendees and those who register for updates on your local listings receive an opt-in invitation right away — when they're most likely to consent.
Make It Easy to Set Appointments by TextMany people prefer the convenience of text to the rigmarole of a phone call. Some people dodge phone calls to avoid high-pressure sales situations. By texting leads a link to a scheduling app, they can put themselves on your calendar in a low-friction environment.
Ask Questions in Your TextsEvery time you get a response to a text, you open the door to extending that relationship. The best way to incorporate questions is to make them meaningful, like "What do you like most about the house you just toured?" Most recipients prefer to dash off an answer rather than risk seeming rude.
DeltaNET customers have the opportunity to deploy text messaging campaigns with confidence from right within our high-performance, AI-driven real estate CRM. RE Technology readers can try it FREE for 30 days.
To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.
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Discover the Dos and Don'ts of Text Marketing for Real Estate
Over the last few years, Millennials have turned up in the housing market by the thousands leaving, many wondering what they want when it comes to real estate.
The future is now, and Millennials are here: Pew Research found they've been the largest generation in the U.S. labor force since 2018. That same year, NAR said they were the largest cohort of homebuyers, which has continued to hold true so far.
What does this have to do with SMS marketing?
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How to Shoot Real Estate with Only an iPhone 11
It's no secret that as real estate agents or property managers, we are always trying to get ahead of the pack. Elevating your marketing above the rest could be the difference between securing your next sale or missing out to your competitor down the street.
In this blog, we are going to prove you really can shoot real estate using just the iPhone 11. This latest release from Apple features an awesome wide-angle lens that is simply insane and, when paired with the CameraPixels PRO app and HDR Image Enhancement, it can really help set your property marketing apart from the rest.
What Is Bracketing?
Bracketing is used by photographers to take multiple shots of the same image at different exposures which can then be combined into the finished product. This process produces an HDR image or a High Dynamic Range image that can highlight important details of the property you're shooting, particularly homes with a fantastic outlook or view that you want to capture.
Typically, the photographer will shoot approximately seven images at different exposures which can then be uploaded to BoxBrownie.com using the Image Enhancement edit. Our team of expert editors will then combine these shots into one image to create a fantastic, professionally finished product.
You can find out more about how HDR bracketing works in this previous blog.
How to Bracket on the iPhone
To set up bracketing on your iPhone, you will need to download an app from the App Store called CameraPixels PRO. There is a free version of the app. However, the functionality is limited and we recommend you download CameraPixels PRO version (approximately $7) and enter the below settings:
1. Open up the CameraPixels PRO app
Click on ISO and set to 20 (this is an important step)
Click on Mode
Click on Bracketing
Click on Set
2. Under 'Image'
Resolution: 12.2MP x 4032 x 3024
Crop: 4:3
Quality: 100%
Stabilization: On
3. Under 'Bracket'
Type: Exposure
Image Count: 7 Images
EV Step: 1.0 F-Stop
Flash: Off
4. Under 'Intervalometer'
Timer: 1 Sec
Image Count: Single
Lapse: 1 Sec
Click Save As Preset
Give the Preset a name
Once these settings have been programmed, it's just a matter of preparing and shooting the property as you normally would. For some handy tips on preparing the home for photography, check out our FREE Pre-Photography Checklist.
Each time you take a photo using the CameraPixels PRO app, the phone will automatically take seven shots. The most important tip is to make sure you always use a tripod when taking bracketed images as all the exposure images must align perfectly to produce a professional result.
Comparing the Finished Results
The examples below highlight the before and after results from shooting bracketed images using the iPhone 11 via the CameraPixels PRO app, and then uploading those images to our Image Enhancement edit.
Kitchen Before and After
This is a spectacular property and it has been beautifully prepared. However, the before image of the kitchen still appears quite dull and lifeless. This is in stark contrast to the bracketed and enhanced finished shot which truly showcase just how special this home is and is sure to attract the attention of potential buyers.
Outdoor Living Area Before and After
This is a great example of how impressive the wide-angle lens feature is on the iPhone 11. The amount of detail we are able to capture in frame is simply remarkable for a smartphone. When edited using our Image Enhancement edit, you really can produce a magazine-quality result.
Bedroom Before and After
As you can see with the final bedroom image, the detail is very clear and crisp not only internally but also with the view outside. This is a great way to highlight the flow of the home and draw the viewer's attention to the amazing outlook.
Conclusion
There's no doubt about it: with a few simple tips, you really can produce a professional result using the iPhone 11 with the wide-angle lens feature for your real estate photography. As we have shown, by using the CameraPixels PRO app and our HDR Image Enhancement, you can elevate your property marketing head-and-shoulders above the competition.
If you'd like to give our Image Enhancement edit a try for yourself, click here or sign up for FREE at BoxBrownie.com today.
BoxBrownie.com is currently offering a free virtual staging edit (valued at $32) to every RE Technology member (new accounts only). This offer expires on September 18, 2020. Click here to claim your free virtual staging edit.
To view the original article, visit the BoxBrownie.com blog.
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5 Steps to Build Out Your Real Estate Mobile and Text Message Marketing Strategy
Marketing is getting tougher and tougher--there's no doubting that.
One strategy you can consider is SMS marketing, the process of sending short text messages to your ideal customers in an attempt to engage them with your campaign and get them to convert.
Even though average open rates for SMS messages beat email by a whopping 28%, your real estate company sells homes for a large price—unlike small-ticket items that can be purchased on a lunch break.
So, how can you make text message marketing your biggest driver of website traffic, leads and sales?
Here are the five steps you'll need to build out your mobile real estate marketing strategy, as well as two brands who are already killing it with their text messages.
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3 Easy Ways to Scan Documents, Create PDFs with Your Phone
In the past, sending photos and documents from a remote location meant spending time in front of a fax machine. You would stand there, waiting for it to connect and then slowly watch each page crawl through the scanner. Then the most crucial part: remaining until the final "Fax Confirmation" page printed to tell you everything went through.
But in the mobile age, sending photos and documents can be done on your smartphone through text or email. Best of all, today you can turn just about any image or document into an Adobe Portable Document Format, or PDF. With a simple smartphone app, you can teach your clients to do the same.
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How to Use Your New Smartphone Camera Like a Pro
New smartphone cameras are taking astonishing pictures. Add built-in editing software that uses Artificial Intelligence and the result is even photo bugs are ditching their bulky equipment to shoot with their phones.
Welcome to the future of photography. Smartphones are well on their way to replacing more than tablets and PCs; they also are well on their way to replacing SLR cameras. If you have the newest Pixel, Samsung or Apple iPhone 11, you can take photos that, until now, you could only take with professional equipment.
Here are ways you can use your new phone's camera like a pro:
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What Your Phone Number Says About You
I can really relate to this article, like many of you, if you stop and think about it. The 717 area code of my phone number is for Central Pennsylvania, which I left 20 years ago. I got my first cell phone along with the number around 1995, and of course never changed it because so many people have it. I now live in Central Florida, which is a 352 area code, so many times when I call somebody or they call me, they question my location. I am perfectly fine with that for personal calls or even calls to local businesses about needing services, but what about the general public when you are courting local business as you are in real estate?
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Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Recap
This is the final article in the "Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone" series. I have enjoyed researching, exploring new apps and doing a deep dive into many of the apps and programs that come on our phones right out of the box.
While doing these articles, I kept having flashbacks to almost 20 years ago doing Palm classes. Many of the things I learned to do on the Palm are still as important as the device I am using today. If you had good practices with the calendar and contacts, you should have brought that skill set with you as you moved through the new devices. If you were successful storing information where you could find it 20 years ago, you should be able to do it today.
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Read This If You Use a Mac, iPad or iPhone
Until around the year 1999, I was a loyal and steadfast fan of IBM Thinkpads. The most coveted feature: a red mouse button positioned in the middle of the keyboard, nestled between the G-H-and-B. I carried two handheld devices, my Motorola flip phone and my PalmPilot.
As an Associate at Resource Capitalist, a venture capital firm, I was tasked with getting a MacBook so that we would have a machine for software testing. That task abruptly ended my relationship with the Thinkpad.
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Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Building Social Media Exposure
Before I get into social media exposure, let's take a look at usage of our phones. Starting with Android, you can find your usage stats by going to Settings > Batteries. Next, tap the three-dot menu > Battery Usage. Then, tap the three dots again and Show Full Device Usage. Android users study that for a minute until I'm done with Apple users.
Apple users go to Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity.
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Run Your Real Estate Business with an iPhone Using Email, Messenger and Text
Before I get into how we can use our smartphone to keep in touch with friends, family, past clients, current clients and leads, I'll ask you to do a little exercise. Take a look at your contacts and where you normally communicate with them—phone calls, text, email, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Twitter and Snapchat, to name a few. If you normally communicate with someone by, let's say, Facebook Messenger, and on their birthday you send them a canned email, how do you think that will be received? I feel this is where you separate yourself from those who might use a single platform like email to send out all the birthday, anniversary and other occasion messages and those who use the platform normally to communicate with contacts.
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Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Calendar
Is it just me or is life more hectic now than ever before? Being self-employed, a contractor and an entrepreneur means our life is filled with appointments, phone calls and to-dos--and that doesn't even include our so-called social life. We need one place to see everything going on in our life, whether it's work or play, and be able to see it quickly.
What is the one thing we have with us 99% of the time we are awake? Yes, our smartphone. I travel often and use public restrooms; I learned just because somebody is talking doesn't mean they are talking to you! Embarrassing!
Let's talk calendar and how we should start using it effectively. In this series, we will be covering different parts of the smartphone, and I am doing them in order of importance. We started with contacts and now calendar. How in the world do you expect to be organized without having a calendar to keep track of events, reminders and important dates?
I believe the two most used calendars are Apple and Google. Many of the tips work for both, and will do my best to explain features. Let's start with a fun one in both calendars. Go to calendar and rotate your phone to landscape. Quickly, you have week view; I use week view regularly. Great thing about both calendars—they sync to all your devices. If your Apple devices don't, go to Settings > Top of screen your name > iCloud > and confirm your calendar is on for iCloud.
Love the categories by color feature on both calendars. On Apple, go to your Mac > Calenda r> File > New Calendar and name the calendar. To change color, highlight calendar, Control-Click and tap "Customer Color." On Google, go to Calendar.Google.com and sign in. On the list of current calendars, find other calendars and tap "+" and name and create new category. Once done, click on the three dots and pick a color.
Let's put the first three articles to work together. Need to catch up? Take a minute and read the last two articles. First, read my article on Text Replacement. Follow the instructions on how to set up text replacement. Decide how you want to set up what works for you when it comes to contacts. For example, if you wanted to build a shortcut for me, you could either use my initials, db, or my first name, dick (notice no capitalization). Let's say you have a new buyer or listing. Set up a text replacement for each person—I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it's not really when you see how quickly this will help you and amount of time saved. I suggest you go to "Contacts" and add the text replacement shortcut for reference.
Back to the calendar. Now every time you do an event, reminder or hopefully anniversary of when you sold them a home, use the text replacement. Both calendars have the search feature. Use the text replacement to see every entry in the calendar for that contact. Speaking of anniversaries, set it up for an annual reminder with maybe a five-day notification so you have time to handle how you contact past clients. Remember all the bells and whistles promised in the calendar part of CRM? I could write about ten more articles about the calendars offered free by Apple and Google, but need to move on.
Next article will be all about Apple Notes and Google Keep and information management on your smartphone.
Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com
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Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Text Replacement
Welcome to the first technique article on running your real estate business with a smartphone! Our first topic is using Text Replacement. I believe no matter your device, this can help you work smarter rather than harder!
I'll be covering both iOS and Android devices as both have Text Replacement. I will also cover a program available for Windows 10 that will also provide Text Replacement.
So, what is Text Replacement? It lets you can write a quick message or even a few paragraphs by simply typing a shortcut—and boom! your message is available with a single tap. For example, I wrote the following message just by typing nhb:
"Thank you for contacting me to work together to find a new home for you and your family! I believe working together, we will achieve the goals you seek!"
All of that by just typing nhb in a multitude of programs and apps!
Text Replacement on iPhone
Apple users, let's start with you. On your iPhone, go to:
Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
Your phone might have one entry already, omw, which is the shortcut for "On My Way." Hit the + sign and add your own. Make it an easy short entry like btw, which is a shortcut for "by the way."
Next, be sure all your Apple products are logged in to the same iCloud account. Now open up your Mac and go to:
System Preferences > Keyboard > Text tab
Here, you should see what you added to your iPhone. (On your iPad, follow the same directions for the iPhone.)
Text Replacement on Android
Let's talk Android. Start with:
Settings > System > Language and input
Next, expand the Advanced tab. Under the Tools section, tap Personal Dictionary.
Next, find the + Add button. Then, just create your shortcut—make it simple and remember what you added.
Text Replacement on Your Computer
On your Mac, as long as you're logged in, your text shortcuts from your iPhone will also work on your Mac. You may need to adjust a few settings on programs, but when I set up, mine it worked in all the places I tested.
Windows 10 does not have a native text replacement feature. You can do a web search for shortcut software for Windows. Or, you can try a web browser extension like Text Blaze.
How Can I Use Text Replacement?
Now let's see where we can use our shortcuts on our phones:
Text messages
Facebook and Facebook Messenger
Instagram
LinkedIn
Snapchat
Calendar
...and the list goes on.
Basically, anytime the text box opens for typing, the shortcut will work.
A few ideas for you:
nhb - new home buyer
nhl - new home listing
tg -Thanksgiving message
And everybody should do these things right now to reduce time spent entering your contact information into forms:
Make this your email address: @@
Pick a number to represent your phone number: I use 77, for example
Set up your initials for your name: For example, I use db
Set up your own system. Be sure it makes sense and is easy to remember. Don't get so carried away that it takes you longer to find the shortcut than just typing out the whole thing.
Text Replacement will become a major piece in this series on running your business on your smartphone. In fact, all of future articles will be making reference to Text Replacement! Hopefully, you have already read my first introduction article in this series, "Can You Run your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone? YES!" If not, please take a moment and read how I plan on helping you get the most out of your smartphone.
Stay tuned for many more articles as we help you build a complete system!
Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com
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How to Quickly Switch Between Programs and Apps on Computers and Smartphones
Are you like me and find yourself opening new programs and windows all day until you have a gazillion things open? I'm terrible at finishing something I am working on when interrupted with alerts and notifications. Suddenly, I remember an email I started two hours ago and never finished, that Facebook Messenger or status I wanted to comment on, that word document I only wrote two paragraphs on, the excel sheet I was working on--and the list goes on and on!
We all do this to some extent and we all try hard to NOT! Well I'm here to help—no, not changing your work habits, but rather how to bounce around quicker.
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Let's Make Your Smartphone Smarter!
Want to set different vibrations for different contacts? Here's an easy way to do just that.
Many times, we put our phone on vibrate and it's in our pocket or purse. It vibrates and, of course, we look to see who it is. We can select preprogrammed vibrations or make our own.
Let's start with the iPhone. Go to a contact you want to change the vibration for—maybe your significant other. Once at the contact select Edit, scroll down to ringtone and tap.
Next, find Vibration and tap.
Now you have the screen where you can select a new vibration or even make your own.
Here's the Create New Vibration screen:
On some Androids, open your Contacts app and find the contact. Tap to edit it. When the contact opens, scroll to the bottom of the page. Select More then locate Vibration pattern and it will be set to default. When you tap on this option, your Android device will open to the stock vibration patterns it has. Now you can select from patterns such as Basic call, Heartbeat, Ticktock, Waltz, and Zig-zig-zig.
Select the next contact you want to have a customized vibration for and repeat the steps. Disclaime, unlike Apple, Android is the operating system on different brand smartphones and not all are created equal. If your phone doesn't have this feature or you want more options, including making your own custom vibrations, you might want to consider a third-party app available on the Google Play Store.
Personally, I love this mostly unknown feature. I'm a keep my phone in my pocket with the ringer off kind of guy. The different vibrations help me know whether I need to pull my phone out or ignore until later. Rather than having so many different vibrations to try to remember, I have all my family members with the same vibration, I have all my friends with their own vibration.
As a REALTOR®, think about setting up a vibration for active clients, a different vibration for support contacts like home inspectors, title companies and loan officers. You can design your own system to help you be more organized. (I just had a flashback to my Palm days—do not set up so many different vibrations you can't keep track!)
I hope some of you will try this technique. It's so simple, but the benefits are many!
Dick Betts is a national speaker, trainer and consultant. Learn more at www.DickBetts.com
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Real Estate Video Marketing Using Just Your Phone
Real estate videos for marketing don't have to be complicated and they don't have to be fancy. You can make marketing videos marketing using just your phone--and the video will still get lots of views and engagement.
One of my favorite videos to use for real estate marketing is what we call a "Walk Through" video. Like the name implies, the video is simply walking and talking about the home or a specific feature in the home.
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How to Pair AirPods with Any Device
Apple AirPods are the most popular wireless headphones in the world. Some 12.5 million of these Q-Tip shaped earbuds were shipped in the last quarter of 2018, commanding an astonishing 60 percent of the market. Not bad for a technology that debuted two-and-a-half years ago.
The second generation of Apple AirPods are now available, and the demand is expected to continue to soar for these Bluetooth wonders that have become a Millennial status symbol priced at $160 for a set.
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Are You Married to Your Smartphone? How to Divorce Amicably and Still Be a Top Producing Realtor
Our smartphone is our constant partner. It is always with us. Although there is no formal agreement, "til death do us part" is not an unrealistic relationship when it comes to our smartphone. We use it to connect with our clients, friends, family, leads and just about everyone. It's our GPS. It's our news outlet. It's our even our source of entertainment. When we go to sleep, it is next to us on our nightstand or not too far away.
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Do Real Estate Agents Need Apple's New iPhone XS?
Smartphones play bigger and bigger roles in our lives, to the point that many people manage their livelihood through their phone. With smartphones having such an impact on our day-to-day lives, it's important to keep up with the latest technology.
One of the latest updates came on September 12, when Apple unveiled its latest iPhones. Among these are the iPhone XS (starting at $999) and iPhone XS Max (starting at $1,099). However, while many were expecting a revolutionary new device, Apple instead offers a better, faster version of its predecessor. They explained that the "iPhone XS is everything you love about iPhone. Taken to the extreme." In other words, it is a much better, faster version of the iPhone X.
So then, the question real estate agents should be asking themselves becomes, "Do I need one?"
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6 Unorthodox Ways to Use Airplane Mode on Your Phone
What can you accomplish when you cut your smartphone off from the world? No wi-fi, no voice, no data--nothing but literal radio silence?
A whole lot, it turns out. Last month, we showed you a neat Instagram trick using Airplane Mode (the fastest way to go "radio silent" on your phone). There are plenty more creative uses for Airplane Mode, so today we're going to show you a sampling of the best.
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8 Accessories that Give Your Smartphone Superpowers (Part 1)
Want to soup up your mobile phone? Rather than relying on apps for that (as we so often do), let's head down the road less travelled instead. Today, we're exploring the world of physical accessories that work with--and enhance--your smartphone.
Enter the World of Smartphone Accessories
That's right, we're ditching the digital in favor of things that attach to or sync to your phone and boost its functionality. And we have to say, there are a LOT of different types of mobile phone accessories--so much so that we've broken up this article into two parts.
Today, we're taking a look at accessories that enhance the multimedia capabilities of your phone, and make those photos and Facebook Live videos so much better.
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It's About Time iOS Got These 5 Updates
For the last couple years, Apple has released the newest version of their iPhone, along with their iOS update in September. This year, is no different! Apple released their iOS 11 update for all their mobile devices alongside their iPhone 8. This update gives Realtors® new features that weren't available before, which you can incorporate into your daily business activities.
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Top Phones for Real Estate Professionals in 2017
There is no 'best' phone for real estate professionals as everyone's needs differ. You may prioritize the phone's operating system for better communication apps, while your colleague may put more importance on the two-way camera to take selfies at his desk.
I sat down with smartphone enthusiast Jeremy de Souza to break down this year's top phones. Let's take a look at what he told me re: the best phones from world's leading smartphone brands in 2017:
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What to Do When Your Smartphone Falls into the Water
Kerplunk! That may be the most dreaded sound a smartphone user can ever hear. If your cell phone has ever dropped in the water, you know exactly what I mean. Here are some things you can do when your smartphone decides unexpectedly to take a bath.
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5 Ways to Unlock the Power of a Lockbox with Mobile
The lockbox has evolved well beyond its beginnings as a simple, secure storage place for keys. Thanks to today's mobile technology, lockboxes have become the Swiss army knife of real estate tools.
No doubt you've used your phone's Bluetooth® capability to release the shackle of your lockbox or open the key compartment. But did you know there's plenty more features your phone or tablet can help you unlock?
Here are five ways your favorite mobile device can help you unlock the full power of the lockbox—and even help you sell more listings.
1. Pull up listing information instantly
Want to start impressing buyers from the moment you walk into a home for a showing? REALTORS® who use SentriLock lockboxes can when they use the SentriSmart™ mobile app. Thanks to integrations with RPR, HomesnapPRO and HomeSpotter, agents can instantly view listing details when they unlock a property's lockbox.
Here's how it works: after accessing the lockbox with the SentriSmart™ mobile app, SentriSmart™ asks if you want to view the property's information in one of SentriLock's partner apps. Select your preferred app and SentriSmart™ will automatically direct you to the property details page of the home you're showing. That way, you'll instantly have all the information you need on hand to answer your buyer's questions.
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Professional Looking Photos Don't Have to Cost a Fortune: Smartphone Photography
Not long ago, you either had to have a professional grade camera (along with the knowledge of how to use it) or hire a professional photographer to take your listing photos to compete with the images you see in magazines and on the web. Thanks to the advancement of today's mobile technology, you can take and edit professional looking images on your phone.
Taking great photos on your mobile device isn't just point and shoot; some skill is required. However, there's no secret to amazing photos; with just a few tips and tricks, you can capture the perfect image and add the finishing touches right from your phone.
Clean Your Lens
This might seem like a given, but you would be surprised at how many people post blurry images due to oil residue or dust particles that have collected on their lens. Your phone is constantly traveling between your pocket, purse, or bags; the lens is being touched; makeup and other things are falling on it, and even the oil from your hands creates a film on it. Keep a glass wipe handy and wipe the lens before using the camera.
Composition (Using Gridlines)
Rule of Thirds
By turning on your camera's gridlines (which can be found in the settings section in almost all mobile devices), you will enable a series of lines (two vertical and two horizontal) superimposed on your screen which will separate your image into nine sections. The "rule of thirds" is a photography principle that states that by placing focal points along the intersecting lines, your photo will appear more balanced, leveled, and create a more natural flow throughout the image.
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Quick Tips for Taking Better Listing Photos with Your iPhone
Done correctly, photography can capture the essence of your listings and inspire potential buyers. Are you following the best practices?
In this video the pros at Bay East Video share the secrets to taking better real estate photos and truly showcasing your listings.
The insight at 0:50 is key!
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Tips for Taming Your Inbox: Managing Your Notifications
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, found that the average office worker is interrupted or changes tasks, on average, every three minutes and five seconds. As a result of interruptions or multitasking, it can take 23 minutes and 15 seconds just to get back to where they left off. That adds up to a lot of wasted time in the day!
Email can easily be one of those distractions if not properly managed. Over the next few months, we will share some useful tips to help you tame your inbox in order to be more productive and minimize distractions that take you away from the real business of real estate.
Manage Notifications
Today, we have all kinds of notifications interrupting us throughout the day – email, alerts, Facebook, chats, etc. One way to minimize email distractions is to eliminate email notifications. Not every email is important and requires an immediate response. For emails that are truly urgent or require immediate attention, you can enable selective notifications to be alerted when you receive emails from VIP senders.
How to Set Up VIPs on Your iOS Device
iPhone users using the native mail app can denote any email sender as a VIP. When you receive an email from a VIP, you will receive a pop up notification on your phone.
Launch the Mail app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Mailboxes in the upper left corner of your screen.
Tap the VIP inbox directly underneath your regular inbox.
Tap Add VIP.
Tap on the name of the contact you'd like to add to VIP. If a contact is grayed out, it means you're missing their email address and can't add them until you enter it.
After you tap on their name, they'll be automatically added to your VIP inbox.
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Must-have Car Tech Can Make a Real Difference for Realtors
It's common knowledge that a home and a car are the two biggest purchases in a person's life. And when you think about it, Realtors are in a unique position to know a lot about both. That's because a lot of their business is done in the car, and their knowledge of homes and clients requires them to be constantly mobile. Advances in car technology can help make that business so much easier.
Smartphone integration
In a business where missing a call can mean missing out on a sale, it's obviously vital — and safer — to have a hands-free phone system in your car. But though a basic Bluetooth setup may be fine for most folks, Realtors should consider the more comprehensive smartphone-integration technologies like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With these, after you connect your compatible smartphone to your car's infotainment system, your phone's home screen is projected onto the vehicle's touchscreen. You can access your contacts and calendar, but the big benefit is that you also can leverage an increasingly wide range of other phone functionalities, along with popular mobile apps, while on the go.
For example, depending on your phone, you'll be able to use Apple Maps or Google Maps for navigation. Both provide a brand-specific user experience and plenty of unique ways to help you get to your next showing, and there's also a notable value involved: Since you don't need a traditional in-vehicle nav system with smartphone integration, you don't have to pay for one.
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5 Ways to Market Yourself While You Get Your Morning Coffee
The number one thing holding most agents back from executing an effective marketing plan is a lack of time.
Easy Agent Pro breaks down the five tools at your disposal that will allow you to market yourself like a pro the next time you’re in line at a Starbucks.
Tip #2 is a huge time-saver!
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Beacon Technology Delivers the Information Your Buyers Want Immediately
Real estate trends for 2016 are constantly boasting about technology designed to make businesses better. Typically, however, the ones that don't fall flat are those offering a smoother home buying experience for the customers and allowing agents to build more customer-centered services.
What is the current customer experience?
An online search, followed by an awkward walk-through or open house, fragmented by sign-in sheets, unanswered questions, doubts on who to trust or turn to, a wrinkled show sheet, and a frustrating ride home. The sale? A wildcard based on customer/agent information gathering.
What if that experience could result in more?
Buyers find an open house on their phone or mobile device. Walking in, the mobile device prompts them to register. On consent, their info is delivered to the agent's inbox. As buyers look around, property details and agent information are automatically delivered via smartphone. After visiting, agents can collect data on whether the information was viewed or deleted, allowing them to classify leads/data. Overall a seamless, elegant, modern experience. The best part? Everyone gets what they need.
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RPR Mobile for Your Smartphone: Big Data, Powerful Reports – Anytime, Anywhere (7/13)
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM PDT
RPR Mobile delivers RPR's vast repository of property information and tools anytime, anyplace, to any iPhone or Android phone.
Use your phone's location to instantly view any property nearby, or search for properties to find listing, sales, valuation, assessment, deed, foreclosure, school, photos, maps, and market trend information...create, customize, view, save, and send RPR reports with your added photos, audio, and text notes.
Download today at the App Store or Google Play, and join us for this comprehensive review of all the powerful features of this great REALTOR-only tool.
Register now!
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Discover MLS-Touch! (6/22)
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 1:00 PM PDT
MLS-Touch is the application you've been waiting for... and we want to take a few minutes to show you what it can do!
MLS-Touch is the most powerful mobile MLS solution packed with features like map search, instant sales comparables, quick access to your listing inventory, email multiple listings and the InstaView which can get you details of the property in front of you instantly.
Available for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices, this feature-packed mobile application will allow you to research and show homes, respond to information requests, set up future showings, and much more!
Register now!
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5 Basic Tips for Taking Great Photos With Your iPhone
Every day we see an increase in people replacing their digital cameras with their smartphones to take pictures. This is mainly because manufacturers are adding some incredible lenses to smartphones that make it a very convenient device to capture daily moments and upload them quickly to social media apps.
Smartphone cameras do not provide the quality photos that a good digital camera can provide, which are recommended for listings. Nevertheless, here at Tech Helpline, we see a trend of agents using their smartphones to take pictures for their listings. For this reason, today we will show you some quick tips on how to get the best possible image using an iPhone with iOS 9. All features listed below are available on the iPhone 5 or newer.
1. Use Auto Focus (AF)
This is the most important feature to use. Without using this option, your image could appear blurry or lose detail. Here is what you do: Tap the area on your screen that you wish to focus on, remove your finger and wait a couple of seconds to allow the camera to focus on the subject before taking the photo.
You can also tap and hold the area on your screen, until the yellow "AE/AF LOCK" appears (Auto-Exposure/ Auto-Focus Lock). This will allow you to take photos from different angles without losing focus on the subject.
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7 Actionable Mobile Trends for Real Estate Agents
The year is 2016 and it seems that everywhere we turn, there’s new technology cropping up. Throughout it all, mobile technology not only continues to improve exponentially, but it’s nearly ubiquitous. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a mobile device these days. But, what does that mean for real estate agents?
According to the NAR, in 2015, 50% of home buyers used mobile technology to find their new home.
Most real estate agents spend very little time in their offices and they’re nearly always on-the-go, making mobile technology ideal for their business lifestyles. But are they all utilizing it to the fullest extent? There are plenty of reasons for real estate agents to integrate mobile into their business strategy, but they may not be aware of all the resources available to them for doing so, and how these trends could potentially make a huge difference in their day-to-day.
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4 Tips to Get More Leads to Respond to Your Texts
The world is more mobile than ever. Consumers are engaging with real estate in new ways, thanks to their mobile phones. According to the 2014 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, nearly half of buyers said it was important to them that their agent sends property information and communicates via text message.
TigerLead's Senior Performance Product Manager, Hugo Cortes, recently analyzed over 20,000 text messages to find out which types of texts got the best response. The internal study found that TigerLead clients that start texting their leads typically see 1 out of 5 leads respond to their texts. However, the best performing text messages get responses from 1 out of every 2 leads!
Here are 4 tips to get more leads to respond to your text messages:
1. Always start with the lead's name: "Hi Nancy,"
Consumers are rightfully suspicious whenever they receive a text message from an unknown number. Using their name as either the first or second word in your message immediately adds credibility and keeps them reading the rest of the message.
2. Identify yourself: "this is Hugo Cortes with TigerLead."
Consumers are still trying to figure out who they're receiving this message from and how you know their name. Some clients prefer to give their name and company at the end of the message, but we've found that texts get more responses when you mention it up front.
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Real Estate Lead Texting: When and What to Text for Phenomenal Response Rates
In today's quick-paced, digital age, home buyers have less time – and less patience. When they see a house they are interested in, they are no longer satisfied with driving home, contacting the listing agent, and waiting for a response. In fact, 49% of buyers expect an instant response from the agent. Today's home buyer wants information now, and if the listing agent isn't available to deliver it, that potential real estate lead has likely moved on to an agent who is.
There are 6.8 billion mobile-cellular subscriptions in the world, and 81% of cell phone owners use their phone to send or receive text messages, according to Pew Research Center. We use them because they're fast, convenient, and more likely than not, always within arm's reach. In fact, almost half of cell owners have slept with their phones next to their bed, not wanting to miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night.
Text messaging is the most popular application on smart phones, and 40% of home buyers prefer communicating with an agent by text over phone calls. Additionally, text messages have an open rate of 98%. Nearly every single text message sent is opened and read.
How can real estate agents harness this opportunity and use text messaging to capture leads? Here are some best practices for when and what to text your real estate leads.
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Sneak Peek: The iPhone 6s Puts Your Productivity on Steroids
September is coming up roses for Apple fans. Not only did the company release iOS 9 today, but the latest iPhone is due to be released in just over a week.
Pre-orders are already underway for the iPhone 6s, and users are excited for the upgraded camera (which gains 4MP over its predecessor), the Live Photo feature, aerospace-grade casing, and beyond. But it's the new 3D Touch feature that got us excited. Why? Because more than any of the other spiffy new bells and whistles, 3D touch has the potential to revolutionize your productivity. Here's how.
What is 3D Touch?
3D Touch is a new technology that measures the pressure of your finger on the screen. On the iPhone 6s, a light touch performs a different action than a medium touch or a firm touch. Take email, for example. A soft touch from the inbox view will let you preview a message without opening it, as seen in the image below.
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High Tech Wardrobe: 5 Wearables for Real Estate Agents
If you've paid any attention to tech news, or even fashion reports, in the last six months, you've probably heard about the Apple Watch. But with all the media buzz, it's likely you didn't know that there's a world of other smart wearables available to you, from Android watches to jewelry to eye glasses.
If your smartphone and tablet are enough for your real estate needs, these new accessories may seem like nothing more than high-tech hype. However, wearables are more than apps on a tiny screen. Today, we're going to take a look at how this new wave of gadgets can be used in your real estate endeavors.
Smart Watches
Let's start with obvious players in the wearables scene--smart watches. While Apple Watch is the best known contender here, Android's offering, Android Wear, debuted a full year before the Apple Watch. Like Android phones, Android Wear is available from a variety of manufacturers, giving users a wider array of styles, wristbands, and watchfaces to choose from. Bonus: just days ago, Google announced that Android Wear now works with iPhones!
While there are differences between Android and Apple watches, they have plenty of functionality in common. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Stay on top of listings and leads - While there aren't a lot of real estate specific apps available for smart watches just yet, there are a few, including ones from Zillow (Android, Apple) and Trulia (Android, Apple). The apps will send push notifications right to your wrist to alert you of new leads. They offer a tactful way to stay on top of incoming portal activity without having to interrupt showings or other important moments with clients.
2. Remotely trigger your phone's camera - Sometimes you need to include yourself in a photograph and, let's face it, selfies don't exactly scream "professional." Smart watches to the rescue! The Apple Watch comes with a built-in Camera Remote app that lets you use your watch as a viewscreen for your phone's camera to frame the perfect shot. Just tap your watch to snap a photo instantly or after a 3-second delay. Once the photo's taken, it will appear on your watch. If you don't like it, take another!
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Hosting an Open House? Don't Forget Your iPad
Refreshments, flyers, business cards--the list of open house necessities goes on. Does your list include an iPad or other tablet? If not, consider it incomplete.
Tablets are the Swiss-army knife of digital tools, and they can help agents wow potential buyers and capture more leads. Here's how.
1. Replace the Paper Sign-in Sheet.
Toss the paper and pen and let visitors sign in on your iPad. Mobile apps like Open Home Pro, BrightOpen, and AM Open House make this a snap. Even better, they simplify capturing lead information and automatically send follow-up emails to prospects. These apps can also sync with your CRM or export contact data.
2. Help Buyers Visualize Living in the Home.
Ever had visitors who love the kitchen but hate the wallpaper? Virtual reality apps like Paint Tester let prospects change the paint color of any room. Just snap a picture, pick the desired paint color, and voila--your potential buyers are one step closer to picturing themselves in your listing. Paint companies like Behr and Sherwin Williams offer similar apps.
Homestyler goes one step further. This app lets you show visitors how furniture, light fixtures, rugs, and items would look in the home.
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Google’s Mobile Algorithm Set to Change April 21. Is Your Website Ready?
There are some big changes, quite possibly the biggest of all time, coming to Google's mobile search algorithm. It's being called "Mobilegeddon" and is expected to be the dawn of a new era of internet that has never been seen before. If you haven't optimized your website for mobile by the cutoff date of April 21st, you're going to be left in the dust of your competitors that already have.
It would be a major understatement to say that consumers rely on mobile devices during their search for a home. In fact, 40% of Homes.com's total traffic now comes from mobile and there has been a 192% increase in mobile property leads since 2014. This means that there's a huge opportunity to grow your business if you are able to provide a mobile platform that your audience can rely on.
There are more benefits that come with having a mobile-friendly website than simply creating a better experience for users on their smartphones and tablets. One of the most important advantages is the role that it plays in search engine optimization (SEO), which is the area that this new algorithm is expected to affect the most. The bottom line is this—your website will have a better chance of being discovered in mobile search results if it meets Google's mobile standards.
A study conducted by Advanced Web Ranking found that the first five results featured in a Google search accounted for 67% of all clicks and the results ranked from six to 10 accounts for only 3.73%. What this shows is simple. Higher search ranking equals more traffic to your website, thus more opportunities to connect with buyers and sellers.
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Apple Watch For Real Estate
I am not sure what the market penetration breakdown is for Apple vs. Android phones in real estate, but suffice it to say that there is a significant number of iPhone users. Many agents report that their smartphone is among their most valuable business tools, and for good reason. Your internet connected phone lets you stay connected to every component of your business to keep you on the track to great customer service and the success that comes with it.
Long gone are the days of putting an "out of office" message on your desk phone and on your email responder. This was a best practice years ago when the internet was not omnipresent and internet enabled devices were clunky to use. Let's face it, the Palm 7 was a magical device but it barely worked. Today's smartphones are now complemented by a plethora of applications that allow real estate agents to stay connected to everything in their business.
The problem with being connected all of the time is that you are, um...connected all of the time. While it may be fine for teenagers to walk around staring at their phone all day long, that is not the right impression for professional real estate agents.
The good news is that Apple and Google understand this. The first effort was to develop earpieces that allowed users to keep the phone in the pocket. That works great for hands-free phone calls and listening to music, but serves little more. Google took a swing with Google Glass – another promising attempt – but like the earpiece, it's a bit awkward. I purchased them and was pretty disappointed, especially by the reaction that it had on people. I always feel like someone out of a Twilight Zone or Star Trek episode. Again, not the "look" of a professional real estate agent.
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Behind a REALTORS® Digital Life: Musings from my Mobile
What REALTOR® wouldn't want to do away with paper?
The beauty of being a real estate professional is engaging with clients. It's personal: you're making their dreams into a reality.
Part of that reality is making sure the process leading up to home ownership is as streamlined as possible.
That's where digital platforms come into play.
Just as caffeine unleashes energy, digital platforms, like DocuSign's Digital Transaction Management (DTM), unleashes pure simplicity. It's only natural: when you dump paper in favor of digitized contracts, you gain speed, efficiency and peace of mind.
I remember when I was an active REALTOR®. Our team of twelve relied on digital platforms, like DocuSign, to help us crack smiles on our clients' faces. If anyone has gone through the traditional process of buying a home, they'll delight in knowing they can DocuSign their way to a dream home within moments, and even on their mobile device if they so choose. Tap, tap, tap...the keys to the house are yours.
Sure, the thought of digitally managing the process might raise a few eyebrows with the older generations, but note to all electronic signature providers: Keep It Simple! I cannot stress this enough in order to welcome all generations to enjoying the digital advantage.
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Travel Agents and Stockbrokers Have Been Eliminated--Are Agents Next?
Over the past few years, technology has eliminated the middleman across a multitude of industries. Airlines, hotels, and stock markets were some of the first industries to be radically disrupted by the Internet. For the first time ever, the Internet enabled consumers to easily book reservations and buy securities online without a travel agent or stockbroker.
This has opened the door and set a blueprint for other companies to try and eliminate the middleman across almost every industry imaginable. Real estate is no different. Companies have tried time and time again to make buying and selling real estate easy as ordering an Über.
Taking a deeper look at why companies continue to fail at eliminating real estate agents stems from the fact that real estate is not a commodity. Technology companies are very good at eliminating middlemen where the product is a commodity. An airplane seat, a hotel room, and a share of stock are all commodities. They can be bought and sold easily without any emotion involved, but you can never have the experience of walking inside a home online. People become emotionally attached to real estate. It is hard to say the same thing about an airplane seat.
Real estate is often the largest investment people make in their lives, and therefore invokes a very emotional experience. People want to make sure they are making the right decision to make sure they are getting the best deal. A real estate agent helps guide consumers through the transaction process, but more importantly, an agent needs to communicate their value through building relationships and communicating a deep understanding of the local area to their clients.
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How to Deal with the Booming Tablet Market
A real estate professional has an increasing amount of hardware options to choose from, and selecting one that meets your needs should be easy... right? That depends on why you're buying a tablet. Are you going to play games, listen to music, do work, or all of the above? Does your real estate-specific software work on Android? iOS? You might find your choices are overwhelming, and a majority of consumers will have similar thoughts; especially if you ever tried looking for a tablet at a 'big box' store.
Your choices don't have to be so overwhelming if you ask yourself a few questions, and compare the specifications of the product you are looking to buy.
1) How am I going to use the tablet?
This should be one the first and most important questions to ask yourself. Are you going to play games? Is expandable storage important? Do you need a high definition front and back facing video camera? Do you have any proprietary software you plan on using exclusively? These questions will be answered for you depending on how you plan to use your tablet.
2) Do I need the latest hardware?
Depending on your questions answered above, your hardware needs might vary from an Atom processor to the upcoming Tegra K1. If expandable storage is important, look for a tablet that has it. (Expandable storage on most tablets comes from SD and microSD cards.) If you plan on using the Wifi exclusively and have access to Wifi at both work and home, you should consider if the 3G package is worth the expense.
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Do Luxury Clients Prefer iPhones?
I'm captivated by this map of iPhone users in New York City. It shows where Android and iOS users are concentrated geographically. And, surprise (or not?), the lines appear to be drawn along economic lines.
iPhones users (in red) coat affluent Manhattan, while Android dominates the poorer outer boroughs.
The trend stays true in other locales, as well--San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London all map out according to the same income pattern.
Does this mean that luxury clients prefer premium-priced iPhones over lower cost Androids? The data seem to suggest that. If you serve the luxury market, consider switching to an iPhone to better reflect the values of your client base. And be sure that your website looks good and functions properly on the platform. Similarly, any apps you offer to clients (like branded search apps, eSign, etc.) need to work flawlessly on iOS.
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2013: The Year of Mobile
As a tech company with a popular mobile tool, we're in a unique position to observe technology trends as the years go by – and 2013 was certainly one for the books. What we saw in 2013 was double the number of people logging into our mobile applications--a trend that continues early into 2014. More specifically, we tracked over 15 million logins, over 40 million properties viewed, and over a billion photos viewed on mobile devices. Say it with me: WOW! Let's take a moment to look a bit closer at this trend.
Why Mobile?
This is a "chicken or the egg" sort of question. Part of the reason we're seeing such growth in mobile is that more real estate professionals are developing a purposeful mobile strategy and implementing effective mobile tools. However, the reason they're doing so is that more consumers are using mobile as part of their real estate transaction. NAR, for example, states that over 68% of homebuyers use their mobile devices to search for homes these days.
Perhaps the largest use of real estate consumer mobile activity is when prospective homebuyers use a mobile device to begin their home search. This is where we come in, with our branded property search apps. Of course, if you don't provide an MLS data-driven property search app like ours to your buyer clients, they'll be getting their data from the other apps out there or from the mobile Web. Unless they're using an MLS app or the realtor.com® app, you can't be sure that the data they are looking at is accurate or up-to-date.
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